Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation, including an addendum opinion from an otolaryngologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed vertigo disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no medical opinion linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to seek additional medical opinions and obtain any outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 6, 2018 and from November 6, 2018 to November 5, 2020 were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss from November 5, 2020 was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss disability prior to October 21, 2020 is denied as the evidence does not show that his hearing acuity warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent. From October 21, 2020, the Veteran's hearing acuity was manifested by Level VIII and XI, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a determination on these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a hearing loss disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded as further examination is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are all remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right ankle condition due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the Appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 60 percent, effective December 11, 2015. The claim for a higher rating prior to October 28, 2020 and after that date remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches. The issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and central auditory processing disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical evidence on record.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a low back disorder. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to support his right knee disability claim. His bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims were also denied due to lack of a medical link between the conditions and service, while his lumbar spine condition claim was denied without sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, right and left knee disabilities, ischemic heart disease with atrial fibrillation, tension headaches, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, chronic prostatitis, back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability have been granted. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for these conditions is remanded.